Dear Lifehacker, I’m thinking about building a NAS (Network-Attached Storage) for storage and backups, but I don’t know if I should build a computer or use an old one I have kicking around, or if I should buy a special enclosure like a Drobo or Synology for the job. What do you suggest?

7 January 2015

Dear Lifehacker, I’m ready to take the plunge and build my own home server, but I’m not sure which route I should take. I’ve seen guides for FreeNAS, Amahi and even regular ol’ desktop Linux, but which should I use? Does it even matter?

If you have a file server that is still running Windows XP, it’s a massive security risk for your business. With the end of Microsoft’s regular security patch schedule for XP, you won’t have any protection against new vulnerabilities. If you upgrade to a business NAS to store your data, you’ll be protected against intrusion and find a swathe of innovative and new features as well. Let’s take a look.

15 May 2014

Travelling doesn’t mean you have to leave all of your data — or your storage — at home if you know you’ll need it on the go. Lifehacker reader Ben sent in his DIY Raspberry Pi-powered NAS that’s small enough to connect multiple drives and go just about anywhere you’ll need all your files.

4 April 2014

Synology NAS drives are popular, and they’re great for storing files on your home network, streaming media or backing up your computer. Left unchecked, however, those backups can fill up your available storage in a hurry.

6 February 2014

If you have an old computer with some life left in it, or you’re building a do-it-all home server, Amahi is the perfect utility for the job. Amahi can turn any PC into an at-home VPN and a NAS for all of your files. Here’s how.

14 November 2013

Yesterday, Western Digital unveiled its first My Cloud storage solution for Australian consumers. The WD My Cloud is a personal cloud drive that allows users to remotely access and backup content across all of their devices. It’s essentially a cross between a traditional NAS and a cloud storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive with all data stored on your own private device. It offers virtually unlimited storage potential (via USB 3.0) with no monthly fees to worry about.

28 June 2013

If you have a home server — whether it’s a pre-bought model or one you built yourself — you need a good place to put it. Hacker Lauzer put his in a modded IKEA cabinet that keeps it within quick reach.